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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL Round 12 Tips - Match to open up after the break

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Tue 20 May 2025 12:15

Jeremy Darke 20 May 2025

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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 12 NRL game
Kick off is at 7:50 PM (AEST) at Accor Stadium
Bulldogs display a slow start but strong second-half scoring.
Origin and injuries altering the line ups for both teams.

Jez following some big trends in this one.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins, Round 12 2025 - Expert Prediction

Certain trends are hard to ignore and Canterbury have a few of them that have driven the tips for Thursday night’s match up against the Dolphins, including a whopping difference in their ability to score points in the second half.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins, Round 12 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
Dolphins Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Dolphins Team News
Dolphins Team List
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 FAQ’s

Two comebacks in two consecutive weeks for the Bulldogs has highlighted a clear trend in how they are playing both halves of footy. Points are dry for Canterbury in the first half and open up like a dam in the the second with a difference of 84 points scored after the break than before in their last 4 matches.

Canterbury’s goal line defence hasn’t been as sharp over the last couple of weeks and has put them in a vulnerable position, however that is not expected to be the case this week coming up against the Dolphins who will be missing their key strike attacker in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, which will see the Phins struggle to cross the line.

Canterbury will wear the Dolphins down in the first half and will strike in the second against tired legs. Expect Villiame Kikau to be lively on the left edge with a new starting second row pairing of the Dolphins and Tom Gilbert’s absence as lock.

Canterbury has a point scoring difference in the first half to second half of 14-98 in their last 4 matches.
Canterbury averages just 15.8 points against in 2025.
Dolphins games are 8-3 to the Under this season.
The Dolphins allowed 3 tries to second rowers last week against the Warriors

Head to Head

Canterbury have won both matches against the Dolphins. A 30-10 victory in 2024, along with a 23-22 nailbiter in 2023. Both matches were played at Salter Oval in Bundaberg.

Both games hit Under the 49.5-point game total that was set for each match up.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
4-1	3-2	3-2

Canterbury are the escape artists of the NRL over the last two weeks, coming back from 20-0 in round 10 against the Raiders and doing a similar act in Round 11, getting the win against the Roosters after trailing 14-0 at the main break.

There are plenty of ways to read into this and it all depends which side of the fence you sit. In both instances the Bulldogs have been starved of possession for large parts of the first half and have continued to play the percentage game when they have had the ball in hand. They gain more territory in the second half and attack a tired defence and score points.

On the other side, there are many instances when teams play this come-from-behind type of footy, they will meet their match and fail to gain the amount of ball they need in the second half to take the win.

The character the Dogs are showing is Premiership quality, however, their defence which is the best in the comp has failed them in the first half over the last two weeks. The question is how concerned do they need to be?

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
7-3	5-5	4-0	5-1

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

Stephen Crichton, Max King and Kurt Mann will miss the match due to representative duties, while the club is also battling a little injury crisis at the moment.

Jacob Kiraz and Daniel Suluka-Fifita and the latest to join the absentee list for the Dogs with Blake Taafe coming in to cover in the backline, while Josh Curran returns from injury and will pop straight into the frontrow.

Bailey Hayward moves into lock with Jake Turpin playing the utility role on the bench along with Sam Hughes.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

1. Connor Tracey

2. Blake Wilson

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Blake Taaffe

5. Marcelo Montoya

6. Matt Burton

7. Toby Sexton

8. Lipoi Hopoi

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Josh Curran

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Harry Hayes

13. Bailey Hayward

Interchange

14. Jake Turpin

15. Kurtis Morrin

16. Sam Hughes

17. Luke Smith

Reserves

19. Drew Hutchison

20. Jonathan Sua

21. Jack Underhill

22. Zyon Maiu'u

23. Mitchell Woods

Dolphins Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	2-3	3-2

Despite having the majority of the ball against the Warriors, two late tries by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth made the result look respectable, down 16-0 with 8 minutes to go with the eventual score 16-12 to New Zealand.

The Dolphins attack looked stale compared with the siffling Warriors defence, that gave up very little metreage considering the weight in possession.

Points were a problem for the Dolphins early this season and they have started to dry up again over the last two weeks with just 20 points against the Eels and now just 12 against the Warriors.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
6-5	3-8	1-6	3-1

Dolphins Team News

Jake Averillo will slot into fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow representing Queensland. Max Feagai will come into the centre.

Horrible news for the Dolphins is that Tom Gilbert will be out for up to three months with a pec injury. Connelly Lemuelu starts in the second row, with Oryn Keeley coming in on the bench.

Dolphins Team List

1. Jake Averillo

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Max Feagai

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Jack Bostock

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Francis Molo

9. Kurt Donoghoe

10. Felise Kaufusi

11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

12. Connelly Lemuelu

13. Ray Stone

Interchange

14. Harrison Graham

15. Mark Nicholls

16. Josh Kerr

17. Oryn Keeley

Reserves

18. Sean O'Sullivan

19. Aublix Tawha

20. Kenny Bromwich

21. Junior Tupou

22. Tevita Naufahu

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 FAQ’s

How to watch Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12?

You can watch the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12?

To buy tickets to the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 game check the NRL website or the official Canterbury Bulldogs site.

Verdict

Canterbury Bulldogs v Dolphins

Expect the Bulldogs to go power home again in the second half against the Dolphins, who will find it difficult to put up enough points to stay with Canterbury leading to the game total staying under 42.5 points.

Villiame Kikau will cross for the Bulldogs on the edge.

Second Half

Highest Scoring Half

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